Commander's Toolkit

Note: The Commander's Checklist is intended to serve as a baseline for the commander's response to adult sexual assault victim(s), alleged offender(s), and unit in the event of an Unrestricted Report of sexual assault. The checklist may be expanded to meet CG-specific requirements and procedures. These checklist items do not represent all of the responsibilities assigned to commanders for the entire Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) program, and it is important for commanders to take time prior to an incident to become familiar with SAPR policies and CG SARC personnel.

Special Victims Council (SVC)
The Special Victims’ Counsel (SVC) program was established to support and enforce the rights of survivors of sexual assault. Specially trained Coast Guard attorneys are provided free of charge to advise and represent the legal interests of Coast Guard active duty members, Coast Guard reservists, Coast Guard retirees, Coast Guard dependents, and certain other civilians related to the Coast Guard who have made a restricted or unrestricted report of sexual assault. SVCs work directly on behalf of their survivor clients and do not represent the Coast Guard, the Department of Homeland Security, or the U.S. Government.

The SVC’s mission is to ensure survivors of sexual assault understand their choices and that their voice is heard throughout the investigatory and military justice process. For example, an SVC can help protect a client’s privacy interests in medical records, computers and cell phones, attend any law enforcement or trial or defense counsel interviews, submit court motions on their client’s behalf at a court-martial, and communicate their client’s interests and desires to the Coast Guard or any other involved party.

A sexual assault survivor can request an SVC at any point -- even if one has previously been declined. To make an SVC request, work with the local SARC, call 202-795-6920/6918, or email at osvc@uscg.mil. For more information, please visit the CG SVC public webpage at: https://www.uscg.mil/legal/LMA-A.asp